If it's your first time in trouble in Pennsylvania, the prosecutor may treat your charge like is your first offense. It depends on the circumstances, it depends on the charge or charges. For summary offenses, it's not so much that the prosecutor or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, if the case is being prosecuted, say, by the police officer or the state trooper versus an assistant district attorney, will consider the charges of first offense or even the court, because unless you have an experienced attorney seeking an alternative or constructive resolution, the resolution would be expected to be.
It's an involved explanation that would require in-depth discussion regarding the matter but with respect to a summary offense, there's no, in many instances, a first-time offender program, but the implications or consequences of pleading guilty or being found responsible for a summary offense can have unexpected short and long-term consequences, especially for college students and working professionals.
For other offenses, misdemeanors, and felonies, the program that is known as ARD or the Accelerated Rehabilitative Diversion program in Pennsylvania, it's a program for first-time offenders. The prosecutor may regard your case as being appropriate or eligible for ARD or your attorney may need to take dedicated steps to have your case considered for ARD.
So much is at stake, so much is involved as you're charged with a crime or any kind of offense in Pennsylvania, you need to have an experienced attorney in your corner from as early as possible in the process. They'll help you best understand and navigate the process.
